Our smartphones are so important to us that it’s no secret many of us would want to do whatever it takes to keep them and the data we store in them safe.
Although it sometimes feels like there are security and privacy risks that come with smartphones that are out of our control, there are many things in our control, like the kind of apps we download. If you’re not careful, downloading certain apps can end up having an impact on how safe your smartphone is. We spoke with tech and cybersecurity experts, including Revekka Palaiologu and Paul Nebb with Titan Technologies, about three apps they suggest never downloading to your smartphone to keep it safe. Read more about them below.
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1. Free VPN Apps
If you're unaware of what a VPN is, it's a 'virtual private network,' and acts as a tool that hides your IP address and helps protect your data when you're browsing and using the internet. Free VPN apps offer this service without a subscription fee, which makes them appealing. Many people will use VPN apps to do things like watch streaming content that's unavailable in their country, or get access to broader internet sites in restricted environments like schools or offices.
"While I always recommend VPNs for protection (especially on public WiFi), the free ones often do the opposite - they harvest your data and sell it," explains Nebb.
"Many of these apps collect and sell browsing data instead of protecting it. Some even inject ads or malware, turning privacy into a risk," adds Palaiologu.
2. 'Cleaner' Apps
Third-party cleaner apps are tools you can download onto your phone, and they claim to boost performance by removing unnecessary files, clearing data, and freeing up storage space. Many of them also promise to speed up your device by closing background processes or managing apps that drain battery life. While they can make your device feel faster and more organized in the short term, some of these apps aren't always necessary since most smartphones already have built-in features that handle cleaning and optimization on their own.
"Often marketed as performance enhancers, but most are ineffective at best, and at worst, they run constant background processes that drain your phone and harvest sensitive data," warns Palaiologu.
Which of these two apps were you the most surprised to learn about?
